UK couples spend an average of £44,000 when they divorce or separate, a new study suggests.

While legal fees have fallen over the last eight years, the hidden costs of divorce have risen by 57 per cent, according to life insurer Aviva, which carried out the study.

The life insurer added up all of the extras associated, including post break up holidays, get fit regimes and redecorating a previously shared home.

For debtor or for worse: The total cost of divorce - including hidden extras - adds up to £44,000 per couple, according to Aviva

Its survey suggested that four in ten newly-separated people splash out on items to treat themselves.

For example one in eight (13 per cent) take a holiday to celebrate their newly-single status, spending £1,925 on average, while the same number treat themselves to new technology, shelling out an average of £1,292 on gadgets and gizmos.

The study did not subtract expenses that couples might have incurred had they stayed together.

The cost of legal fees for divorce have actually fallen since 2006, the research found, down from £1,818 to £1,280.

Aviva suggested the drop was due to many couples opting for cheaper online services.

However the cost of other aspects such as moving house and child maintenance payments have soared, meaning that the total annual cost of divorce in the UK now adds up to £5.7billion.

As many as four in ten respondents said they were financially worse off following their separation, and more than half took longer than six months to settle financial affairs.

The typical time to settle was 11.5 months, but one in ten couples said it took more than two years.

Women are more likely than men to make lifestyle changes to supplement their income following a separation.

One in eight said they worked longer hours or took a second job following a break-up, while one in ten who didn't work before the split got a job, the study found.

How it adds up: Legal fees are just a small proportion of the total cost of a separation, the study suggests (Source: Aviva)

As many as 27 per cent of newly-single women dipped into savings compared to 16 per cent of men, while 23 per cent relied on credit cards compared to 14 per cent of men.

Louise Colley, protection director for Aviva says: 'Two thirds of couples who are married or co-habiting have some shared finances, so these arrangements can take some time to unravel if a relationship unfortunately breaks down.

Costs vary: While the average cost of divorce is around £44,000 today, some separations cost considerably more (PIctured: Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, who separated in 2006

'Beginning again following a separation can be a daunting time, not to mention a busy one, but it's crucial that newly-single people review money matters when their circumstances change.

'For example, if someone becomes the sole income earner for their family unit, it's important they think about what they might do if they were unable to work, for example through illness or injury.'

She added that protection insurance such as life, critical illness or income protection can offer some peace of mind for this next chapter.